Method and apparatus for defrosting and washing refrigerators



Qct. 27, 1942. c. R. YUNKER 2,300,085

METHOD ND APPARATUS FOR DEFROSTING VAND WASHING REFRIGERATORS Filed March 29, 1941 5 CLARENCE R. YUNKER f /NvE/v ron Patented 27,

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me. AND WASHING amfmoaaa'roas Clarence B. Yunker, Elsie, Oreg. Application March 29, 1941, Serial No. 385,876 Claims. (Cl. 82-1) This invention relat to refrigerators of the type used extensively in private homes for the preservation of foodstuffs, and has particular reference to a new and improved method and apparatus for defrosting the cooling unit and for Washing and deodorizing the food compartment of a household refrigerator.

The household type of refrigerator commonly comprises a food compartment having mounted therein a cooling unit, preferably secured to the upper wall of the compartment. During operation of the refrigerator, moisture condenses on the cooling unit and forms frost and ice, necessitating frequent periods of non-use of the refrigerator for defrosting purposes. A recommended practice of defrosting is'to place pans of warm water in the refrigerator adjacent the cooling unitto cause the frost and ice to melt from the cooling unit. This method of defrosting or de-icing the cooling unit requires a substantial period of time during which no refrigeration takes place. Thereafter the walls and fixtures of the food compartment are thoroughly cleansed and deodorized. After this task is completed the refrigerator must be put in operation for a considerable time before the food compartment is rendered safe, for the preservation of foodstuffs.

The present invention has for its object the provision of an apparatus in afrefrigerator for facilitating the task of defrosting the cooling unit and washing and deodorizing the food compartment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method of defrosting, washing arid deodorizing a household refrigerator.

To the accomplishment of these objects, means in mind, the invention resides in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and set forth in the appended claims; it being understood that various changes in form, proportion, size and details of construction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a household refrigerator embodying the invention, showing one form of cooling unit commonly in use, and a form of spray nozzle applicable for use therewith.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, except that the spray nozzle is shown as being connected with pipes forming a, permanent part of the water system of the house.

Figure 3 is a rear view of a refrigerator showing the spray nozzle permanently connected to the water system of the house.`

' Figure 4 is a front elevation, partly in section, of a refrigerator embodying the invention, and

y embodying a cooling unit and spray nozzles of is provided for subjecting the closed interior of the food compartment to the action of a spray ,of hot water for a time suillcient to remove the n frost and ice from the cooling unit and to thoroughly wash the food compartment; and thereafter, by thesame means, to subject the closed interior of the compartment to a spray of cold water for a time sufficient to thoroughly cool the walls and fixtures of the compartment Suitable provision is made for the escape from the compartment of the water received therein through the spray nozzles.

An advantage of the invention resides in the fact that the time factor -is greatly reduced; less than ve minutes .being required to completely, defrost, wash, and deodorize the food compartment, and render it safe for'food products.

With these and other objects and advantages modified construction. A portion of the lower end of the refrigerator is broken away to show one form of drain for withdrawing the water from the food compartment.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the lower portion of a refrigerator illustrating a modified form of apparatus for collecting the' water used to defrost and wash the refrigerator.

'I'he drawing illustrates a refrigerator of conventional form having a casing i enclosing a food compartment 2, access to which i`s had by means of the usual door 3. The refrigerator shown in Figures 1 and 2 is equipped with a cooling unit! supported from the ceiling 5 of the compartment 2 by means of rods 6. The refrigerator shown in Figure 4 is equipped with. a cooling unit l fastened tightly against the ceiling of the compartment. It should be understood, however,

tive to the compartment, constitutes no essential part of this invention and has no bearing thereon; except that the location of the cooling unit may determine the type of nozzles employed for admitting water to the food compartment.

In refrigerators wherein the cooling unit is mounted as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a single nozzle may be used to admit water to the food compartment, the .nozzle comprising a tube l mounted above the cooling unit 4, between the cooling unit and the ceiling 5. The tube is preferably of suillcient length to reach from front to rear of the food compartment and to extend through the rear wall 9, where it may terminate in a ribbed extension I0. Water may be supplied to the tube 8 from the tap II by Way of a hose I2, the water entering the food compartment 2 from perforations I 3 in the form of a spray.` Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the tube 8 as being directly connected with hot and cold Water pipes I4 which may connect with and be a part of the permanent water system of the house. Flow of Water through the pipes I4 is controlled by means of valves I5 which, for convenience, may be operated by means of handles I6 which extend beyond the sides of the refrigerator.

In refrigerators wherein the cooling unit is mounted as illustrated in Figure 4, a nozzle I'I may preferably be mounted in each upper corner of the food compartment on feach side of the cooling unit l. In this construction the perforations I8 may be so placed in the nozzle Il as to direct sprays of water both toward the cooling unit I and downwardly along the walls of the iood compartment. The nozzles il are preferably of sufficient length to extend from front to re'ar `of the food compartment and extend through the rear wall thereof. Water may be supplied to the nozzle il either through a hose connection such as illustrated in Figure 1, or by means of a piping arrangement similar to that illustrated in Figure 3.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the food compartment 2 may be equipped with a drain pipe i9. It is not intended that the drain I9 be connected into the waste system of the house, but rather, that the water be led to any convenient place of disposal by means of any suitable temporary connection. To avoid the loss of cold air from the food compartment during refrigeration, the drain pipe I9 may be closed by a valve 2D.

The refrigerator shown in Figure 5 is equipped with a drain pan 2|, the Walls of the food compartment being provided with a bead 22 overlying the edges of the pan so that water owing down the walls will vbe directed into the pan. At such time as the drip pan is not in use for collecting' water sprayed into the food compartment, it may be equipped with a suitable cover and used as a vegetable hydrator or crisping pan.

By means of the hereinbefore described apparatus, a new and novel procedure may be foilowed in defrostingthe cooling unit of a household refrigerator and simultaneously washing and deodorizing the food compartment. In practicing the method provided by the invention, y

foodstuffs are removedv from the food compartment and the control is turned to the oit position. Thereupon the door` 3 is closed and the valve controlling the flow of hot water to the spray nozzles is opened. Hot water is sprayed over the cooling unit and onto the walls of the food compartment in sulcient quantity to melt the frost and ice from the cooling unit and to wash the Walls and fixtures of the food compartment. The valve 20 being opened, the Water drains from the food compartment through the pipe I9. Having accomplished the defrosting of the cooling unit and the cleansing of the food compartment, the valve controlling the ow of hot water is closed and the valve controlling the flow of cold, water is opened to permit cold water to be sprayed into the food compartment, thereby dissipating the heat produced by the previous therefrom. Thereupon, the control is moved to on position and the valve 20 is,closed.

The invention is productive of a material saving in the time necesary for defrosting and washing a refrigerator. It will be appreciated that the application of hotwater to the cooling unit immediately rids the cooling unit of its insulation of frost and ice, and that within a minute of time a considerable quantity of Water can be flowed over the walls and xtures of the food compartament for the washing operation.v An insulcient quantity of hot water is used, however, to heat the walls or fixtures, and the application of a spray of cold water for a similarly short period of time is suicient to completely dissipate the heat produced by use of the hot water spray. The application of the spray for both washing and cooling the refrigerator need not consume more than two minutes of time, and the compartment may be in readiness for further refrigeration within five minutes after the operation is begun.

It will be appreciated that if the refrigerator is equipped Awith a drain pan 2i instead of the drain pipe I9, the pan must of necessity be emptied after the application of the hot water spray and before the application of the coldA water spray, and then again after completion of the application of the cold water spray. It will be seen, therefore, that the provision of a drain pipe greatly facilitates the completion of the task of defrosting and cleansing the refrigerator,

Having now described my invention and in what manner the same may be used, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters l Patent is:

1. An apparatus for defrosting and washing a. refrigerator comprising walls dening a food compartment and having a cooling unit mounted in said compartment, said apparatus comprising a spray nozzle mounted in the upper portion of said food compartment adjacent the cooling unit therein, orices in said nozzle for directing sprays of water onto said cooling unit and onto the walls and xtures of the compartment, said nozzle extending through one wall of said compartment, supply means connecting said nozzle with a Water system, and valve means for controlling the supply ofwater to said nozzle.

2. In a refrigerator, Walls defining a food` compartment, a cooling unit mounted within said compartment, a spray nozzle mounted in said compartment adjacent said cooling unit and extending through one wall of said-compartment, orifices in said nozzle for directing sprays of Water onto said cooling unit and onto the walls and fixtures of the compartment, supply means for supplying Water to said nozzle, and a valve for controlling the ilow of water through said means.

3. In a refrigerator, walls defining a food compartment, a cooling unit mounted within said compartment, a spray nozzle mounted in` said compartment, orifices lin said nozzle for directving sprays of water onto said cooling unit and onto the Walls and fixtures ofthe compartment, supply means for supplying Water to said nozzle, a valve for controlling the flow of water through said means, a pipe for draining said compartment, and a. valve for closing said pipe.

4. 'I'he method of defrosting, washing and d'eodorizing a refrigerator,l consisting ofl applying a spray of hot water onto thel cooling unit and onto the walls and fixtures of the food compartment of the refrigerator and thereafter ceasing said application of hot water. thereafter applying a spray of cold water onto said cooling unit and onto said walls and xtures and thereafter ceasing said application of cold water, continuously and simultaneously 'draining said water from said compartment, and maintaining said compartment closed during both said applications of water therewithin.

' the walls and fixtures of the food compartment of the refrigerator and thereafter shutting off the ow of hot water to said jet, thereafter applying a jet of cold water onto said cooling unit and onto the said walls and xtures and thereafter shutting off the flow of cold water to said jet, closing said food compartment prior to said rst application and maintaining said closed condition during the application of both said jets of water.

v CLARENCE R. YUNKER. 

